Lionel Messi has been crowned the best footballer in the world for a record sixth time.
The Barcelona and Argentina superstar has claimed his sixth Ballon d’Or to move one clear of Cristiano Ronaldo, who finished third in this year’s voting.
Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk placed second while his Reds teammates Sadio Mane and Mo Salah were voted fourth and fifth respectively.
Messi, 32, first won the award in 2009 and a decade later, has clinched yet another golden ball award to go with his 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2015 triumphs.
"I would like to thank all of the journalists who voted for me and wanted me to have this prize,” Messi said.
“Thank you so much to my colleagues who have actually contributed a lot to this prize. It is amazing, thank you so much."
Lionel Messi is the 2019 #ballondor winner 🤚☝️ pic.twitter.com/5nNZXl05vY
— #BallondOr (@francefootball) December 2, 2019
1 - Lionel Messi was involved in 63 goals in 2019 for @FCBarcelona and @Argentina (46 goals and 17 assists), averaging 1'17 per game (GP54). Gold. #BallonDor #BallonDor2019 pic.twitter.com/DEWphX6fKW
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) December 2, 2019